My Ride - 1994 Nissan Pathfinder

Contributed by Ted Hall

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, January 15, 2012

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 1of/8

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 8

Ted Hall is a 17-year-old senior at Clayton Valley High School. Born and raised in the East Bay, he lives in Clayton with his parents and sister and plans to attend one of the Universities of California next fall to study political science. less

Ted Hall is a 17-year-old senior at Clayton Valley High School. Born and raised in the East Bay, he lives in Clayton with his parents and sister and plans to attend one of the Universities of California next ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 2 of 8

...Even as a novice driver, I still have some stories to share about my car, a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder SE-V6. To a modern technology-minded teenager my car seems so old fashioned - switches and levers control much of the car, and there is no fancy display screen like many newer cars have. I love it. less

...Even as a novice driver, I still have some stories to share about my car, a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder SE-V6. To a modern technology-minded teenager my car seems so old fashioned - switches and levers control ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 3 of 8

Something very few people share with their car is a birth year. My parents bought the Pathfinder shortly after I was born in 1994, and it was our family car for many years. Growing up with the Pathfinder led to many fond memories, and a special boyhood bond was created. less

Something very few people share with their car is a birth year. My parents bought the Pathfinder shortly after I was born in 1994, and it was our family car for many years. Growing up with the Pathfinder led to ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 4 of 8

My parents recently showed me a video of me when I was three years old sitting in the front seat, pretending I could drive it. I still recall the day my dad taught me to drive the Nissan in our backyard, a memory I will always cherish. less

My parents recently showed me a video of me when I was three years old sitting in the front seat, pretending I could drive it. I still recall the day my dad taught me to drive the Nissan in our backyard, a ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 5 of 8

The Pathfinder isn't built for speed, but it has enough power to zip past the lumbering quarry trucks on my way to school. My parents must have been fairly optimistic about getting to use it off-road since they purchased the 4WD version with mud flaps, roof rack and a tire carrier. less

The Pathfinder isn't built for speed, but it has enough power to zip past the lumbering quarry trucks on my way to school. My parents must have been fairly optimistic about getting to use it off-road since they ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 6 of 8

Despite the size of my Pathfinder, I pride myself on being able to squeeze into the compact spaces in parking lots. My car has aged fairly well over the years, but it did develop some quirks. For example, slamming the door too hard results in the car locking itself - a lesson I learned with the keys still inside. less

Despite the size of my Pathfinder, I pride myself on being able to squeeze into the compact spaces in parking lots. My car has aged fairly well over the years, but it did develop some quirks. For example, ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 7 of 8

My car has really meant a lot to me, and I will be sad to leave it behind for the first time when I attend college. But, as with any first car, I will always remember my original ride and will cherish the drives we had together. less

My car has really meant a lot to me, and I will be sad to leave it behind for the first time when I attend college. But, as with any first car, I will always remember my original ride and will cherish the ... more

If you look at my picture, you'll probably notice that I'm fairly young. But even as a novice driver, I still have some stories to share about my car, a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder SE-V6. To a modern technology-minded teenager my car seems so old fashioned - switches and levers control much of the car, and there is no fancy display screen like many newer cars have. I love it.

Something very few people share with their car is a birth year. My parents bought the Pathfinder shortly after I was born in 1994, and it was our family car for many years. Growing up with the Pathfinder led to many fond memories, and a special boyhood bond was created. Road trips, vacations, daily drives to school and back were all in this car.

As far back as I can remember, the Pathfinder has been a part of my life. My parents recently showed me a video of me when I was three years old sitting in the front seat, pretending I could drive it. I still recall the day my dad taught me to drive the Nissan in our backyard, a memory I will always cherish.

Much like any teenager, I counted the years until one day I could get my license. By that time, the Pathfinder was our family's third car, and my dad gave it to me for my birthday.

The Pathfinder isn't built for speed, but it has enough power to zip past the lumbering quarry trucks on my way to school. My parents must have been fairly optimistic about getting to use it off-road since they purchased the 4WD version with mud flaps, roof rack and a tire carrier. Sadly, I've never had the chance to do that kind of driving, but maybe I will someday. It's an odd blue-green color, which makes me wonder what my parents were thinking when they bought it.

My Pathfinder isn't the flashiest car out there, but the unique color makes it easy to spot and every one of my friends can tell which car is mine. Sometimes it pays to have an SUV, especially with how backed up the school lot gets. I still remember the day my friends blocked me in as I tried to leave school and I astonished them by driving over the curb and straight out onto the street.

Despite the size of my Pathfinder, I pride myself on being able to squeeze into the compact spaces in parking lots. My car has aged fairly well over the years, but it did develop some quirks. For example, slamming the door too hard results in the car locking itself - a lesson I learned with the keys still inside.

Like any teenager, I love to drive, and it's great to be able to pile myself and four others in and head to the movies or just go out for some food. Recently my friends and I took it to Great America, and despite its age my Pathfinder kept up with the best of them on the freeway.

My car has really meant a lot to me, and I will be sad to leave it behind for the first time when I attend college. But, as with any first car, I will always remember my original ride and will cherish the drives we had together.

We want to know why you drive what you drive. Submit a few paragraphs about your car with the subject line "My Ride" to cars@sfchronicle.com.